Jason Kiley of OneEyedCat Crafts will guide students through the creation of their own wacky, weird, lumpy clay creatures — the only limits are your imagination and the structrual integrity of our clay.

Come join us in this adventure of a beginning ceramics class where we will be creating unusual creatures from life and our imaginations. The focus of this class will be on the process of working with clay over the perfection of the final work. Students will learn the basics of hand building in clay while using their imaginations to create fantastic creatures. As the title of the class suggests, the creations will most likely be a little lumpy, or awkward, but that is where their charm will lay. Think of Jimothy the raccoon. If you don’t know of Jimothy yet do yourself a favor and find out. I hope you can join us in this hand building extravaganza!

During the initial session on September 15th, students will have plenty of time to explore hand-building techniques and sculpt their critters. Then, on the 29th you will be invited to paint your creations with underglaze and bring them to life in full color. We will contact participants after the final firing to pick up their completed critters.

For this extra special session only, guardians are welcome to drop their kiddos off at RACK and return at the end of class. Though if you’d like to hang around to observe, or chill in the Pansy Garden and enjoy the scenery, you are more than welcome! If guardians want to participate in creating their own critters, we ask that they register themselves as well as their children.

Local potter Maureen Karlstad of Pierce Hill Pottery will lead students through an in-depth exploration of various wheel-thrown vessels, including mugs and bowls of multiple sizes. Students will focus on refining their technique, achieving desired forms, and throwing consistently with 1-2lb of clay.

In order to take this class, students should be able to center 1lb of clay and throw a 3×5” cylinder.

The class will take place over eight 90-minute sessions throughout October, with throwing on Friday evenings and trimming the following Saturdays, for a total of twelve hours of class time.

October-2/3, 9/10, 16/17, 23/24

Friday Nights 6-7:30pm

Saturday Mornings 10-11:30am

The cost of class includes one 25lb loaf of clay, as well as all firing and glazing during the session. If all pieces are not glazed by the end of this series, we will schedule an additional glazing day for students to complete their work.

Studio Guidelines:

• Those under 14 years of age must have a guardian on the property. Guardians may participate in the workshop, but must register separately.

• RACK is a working studio space with moving equipment. Participants must wear closed-toed shoes, and long hair must be tied back for your safety.

• Please avoid wearing hand lotions and heavy nail polish. They may interfere with the chemistry of our clay and glaze.

• Avoid wearing scented clothing or cosmetics — RACK is a fragrance-free space.

• If you’re sick, stay home! We can work out a time to make up missed classes.
  

Accessibility: This class requires the use of moderate upper limb strength and some fine motor skills. Standard use of electric wheels involves operation of a foot pedal, but this may be adapted for those with limited leg mobility. Our bathroom is not yet ADA accessible. If you have questions about accessibility or adaptive use of the space, email us at info@rackviroqua.com

Please let us know if you will have an aide or service animal present. Aides are not considered workshop participants unless they register separately.

Please alert staff if you have a pacemaker or other electronic implanted device, as some of our equipment uses electromagnets.